Bernard Roll

Bernard Roll, a former resident of Yorktown and Putnam Valley died on Monday, April 13, 2009, in Milton, Florida, after a long illness. He was 82.

Bernie was born in March, 1927, in Peekskill, to the late Henry and Katherine (nee Slater) Rohl. He was one of ten children and is survived by one sister, Gertrude Deerman, of Jefferson Valley, New York. He was educated in the Shrub Oak Schools.

Bernie married the late Elaine Roll (nee Hanson) and is survived by his three children, two daughters, Ruth Soravilla of Queensbury, New York, and Lisa Ricci of Putnam Valley, and a son, Charles Roll of Milton, Florida. He is also survived by Andrea Roll (nee Davenport) of Milton, Florida, and a daughter, Diane Roll of Destin, Florida. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren and 1great-grandchild.

Bernie served in the United States Navy at the end of World War 2. Following the war, he came back stateside and was employed by Burroughs Welcome, a drug company located in Tuckahoe, New York. He later worked at Fisher Body in North Tarrytown. He started working nights as a carpenter and that became his life's vocation. He built homes on Route 132 in Yorktown, and three housing developments in Putnam Valley; Quincy Road, Lincoln Road, and Spruce Knolls. He built a portion of Boswell Estates and then moved to Florida. He built residential and commercial structures in the Venice/ Englewood area on the gulf coast. In the early 1990s he moved to Gulf Breeze near Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle where he built homes and developed land as well. His innovative style can be seen in the craftsmanship of the homes that he built.

A memorial service was held on April 17 in Florida. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be sent in his name to Covenant Hospice of Florida, 2001 N. Palafax Street, Pensacola, Florida, 32501.

Philipstown's newspaper

Published by Elizabeth Ailes; edited by Douglas Cunningham. The only real newspaper, in print and online, for Cold Spring, Philipstown, Garrison, Nelsonville and Putnam Valley. 845-265-2468. Check our free community site at putnamcountybugler.com, too.